The city has been selected to be featured in the 118th annual Rose Parade, themed “Our Good Nature,” officials said recently. What’s more, renowned float designer and Santa Fe High School alumnus Raul Rodriguez will be designing the city’s float.

“It’s a landmark for the city to celebrate its 50th anniversary with millions of spectators,” said Director of Community Services Ana Alvarez.

“Indeed, it’s a great honor; not every city or everyone that applies gets in,” she added.

Mike Mendez, city director of parks and recreation services, said the Rose Parade invitation is “worldwide recognition.”

Mendez, who is overseeing the float project, said Santa Fe Springs was a frequent participant of the Rose Parade during the 1960s, but it has been years since the city entered a float in the annual event.

Though Mendez could not determine the float’s total cost, he said city officials are soliciting corporate sponsorships and planning fundraisers to offset their expense. A Fourth of July fireworks booth raised about $30,000, Alvarez said Friday.

Rodriguez also said he’s completed his float proposal. “It’s going to be a good one,” he said.

He would not disclose many details about his work, but said his design is rooted in Santa Fe Springs’ history. He will be working with Fiesta Parade Floats out of Duarte to construct the final project.

Before the design is presented to the community, however, Mendez said it must be approved by the Rose float committee and several other community groups within the next two months.

The official design unveiling is slated for Sept. 16, during the city’s annual Fiestas Patrias celebration, Alvarez said, adding that work on the float may begin as early as November.

In the meantime, Mendez said he anticipates the Santa Fe Springs re-debut in the Rose parade, especially as the city prepares for its golden birthday.

“You can’t get any better than when you know the numbers that watch this parade all over the world,” he said. “The Rose float is our opportunity to showcase to the rest of world who we are and where we are and why this is so special.”